A School of Fish Robotics

A School of Fish Robotics
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A School of Fish Robotics
Engineers have been for a long period fascinated by the autonomous self-organization, decentralized, and coordination of a school of fish. On that note, they have developed a swarm of fish robotics that mimics the behaviors of actual fish. These fish-inspired robots can coordinate their movements without outside control [1]. The swarm of fish robotics makes it easier to study marine life since engineers can work together with other specialists to observe and address issues posing a danger to water creatures. This paper aims to focus on techniques used by the swarm of fish robotics developed in different learning institutes or laboratories.
Some researchers call the school of fish robotics Blueswarm, Bluebots, or Robofish. Radhika Nagpal, a robotic expert, led a team that created Blueswarm in his laboratory that deals with self-organizing systems [2]. The fascinating thing about Blueswarm is that they can sync their movements the same way with biological fish. Even without external control, they can communicate with their plastic-bodied neighbors. When speaking to IEEE Spectrum, Nagpal admitted that the advancement in technology used by Blueswarm demonstrates how complex three-dimensional behaviors can facilitate environmental monitoring using these coordinated underwater robots [3]. In addition, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) said that Blueswarm robots use visual coordination that enables them to swim together. The fish-inspired robots have blue LED lights and cameras. The technique they use involves detecting the LEDs of neighboring robotic fish to algorithmically know their direction and keep distance to avoid collision [4]. As a result, the swarm of fish robotics moves together, heading in the same direction.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) developed a fish robotic called “SoFi.” This Robofish can swim alongside others in the ocean. The tests conducted revealed that SoFi can go at depths of over 50 feet for about 40 minutes [5]. SoFi uses a unique technique to propel itself underwater. In particular, it has a lithium polymer battery, motor, and camera. SoFi is made up of lightweight materials known as silicone rubber. The motor propels the Robofish, creating a side-to-side motion that resembles the movement of a real fish. SoFi can control its buoyancy and change its swimming speed using an acoustic communication system. For a long time, engineers have been inspired by two primary things that control a school of fish behaviors: vision and bioluminescence [6]. They wanted robot swarms to coordinate their movements, which have been achieved by using a centralized computer that guides these robotic fish on what to do. As such, a swarm of fish robotics comprises algorithms that enable them to control their collective behaviors, such as swimming alongside others and in a circular motion.
Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed fish-inspired underwater robots that autonomously navigate and communicate with each other in such a manner that they can perform tasks together. The following shows the images of the Blueswarm.




Figure 1: Images and Labelling of Blueswarm (Source: https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/13/these-robo-fish-autonomously-form-schools-and-work-as-search-parties/).
Blueswarms have cameras instead of eyes and fins for propellers. They have LEDs to imitate how fish communicate through bioluminescence. These Robofish use their LEDs to signal others. In other words, the LED pulses can help them to adjust and change their position and direction in response to their neighbors [7]. They use photosensors to control their swimming behaviors and motions and can accommodate others when dropped underwater. Blueswarm can search for something together or individually. They use an implicit coordination technique to synchronize their behaviors and make decisions with respect to their neighbors [8]. However, when one Robofish finds what they are searching for, it summons others using an LED flashing.
A Lanzhou Petrochemical Polytechnic team invented a robot fish that can be used to explore underwater environments. In particular, the Robofish utilizes numerous advanced technologies, such as sensors, artificial intelligence, and mechanical electronics. Based on Hong Zirong, the team’s supervisor, the robotic fish can be used for underwater rescue, water quality monitoring, hydrology, and pipeline leakage detection [9]. Robotic fish have synchronized behaviors that enhance them to achieve complicated group tasks. Engineers have tried to imitate the behaviors of actual fish when creating a school of fish robotics [10]. China has been among the countries focused on improving robotic fish since they are valuable in accessing areas that would be challenging for humans, such as the deepest parts of oceans and seas.
According to Maurizio Porfiri from Polytechnic Institute, New York University, the most significant that can be done to the swarm of fish robotics is upgrading by fitting them with sensors and processor...